VegNews Staff

Here's your chance to meet the VegNews staff. Our team is passionate about veganism and works hard to deliver the very latest in all things veg. Count on us to dish a hot new restaurant, test a just-launched product, or report on a late-breaking story.

Passionate about publishing and media, Colleen Holland is the co-founder of VegNews. Since its launch in 2000, she has grown the vegan lifestyle brand into an award-winning, international media company complete with a flagship magazine, digital properties, events, and global vacations. A graduate of UCLA and the Natural Gourmet Institute, Colleen is one of just six people worldwide to have been elected into both the Vegetarian Hall of Fame and the Animal Rights Hall of Fame. A 21-year ethical vegan, she is a die-hard yogi, and the founder of the Healthy Vegan lifestyle brand.

If you could eat just one veg meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? A steaming bowl of laksa soup, a Malaysian specialty with rice noodles, tofu, and vegetables in a fragrant coconut broth.

What veg dish would you cook to dazzle a veg-curious but still carnivorous friend? People love my Thai yellow curry with fresh vegetables, tofu, and cilantro.

Richard Bowie

Associate Editor

A graduate of California State University, San Bernardino, Richard joined VegNews in 2015 after leading his student newspaper and working for a number of publications. With a multiethnic background and having grown up Chicano, issues of advocacy and representation for all are deeply important to Richard. He's written for publications centering around minority youth, the queer community, and is excited to lend his voice to the fight for animals.

If you could eat just one veg meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? Salad Shirazi and a side of crusty bread, olive oil, and dukkah.

What veg dish would you cook to dazzle a veg-curious but still carnivorous friend? A veggie-stuffed chile relleno with chunky guacamole and traditional Mexican rice.

Ryan Ritchie

VegNews.com Features Editor

Ryan decided to become a writer once he realized he was too short to be the starting point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers. Luckily, this decision has turned out well, as Ryan has written travel stories for the Los Angeles Times, music stories for LA Weekly, SF Weekly and OC Weekly, veganism for LA Weekly, and a slew of other stories he can't remember. More importantly, for the past five years he's competed in the Classic Tetris World Championship, making him one of the best players in the world. When he's not telling his cats to get off the kitchen counter, Ryan is working on an essay collection tentatively titled Am I Doing This Wrong?

If you could eat just one veg meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? Fuji apples and peanut butter.

What veg dish would you cook to dazzle a veg-curious but still carnivorous friend? Nothing beats the Dazzling Caesar Salad at Cafe Gratitude.

Aruka Sanchir

Editorial Assistant

Aruka recently moved to Santa Cruz, CA from Denver, CO. As a recent graduate of Colorado State University, Aruka's curious nature and compassion for all living beings led her to VegNews. With a bachelor's degree in Journalism and Media Communications and a minor in Philosophy, Aruka is passionate about writing and pondering the universe. In her free time, Aruka enjoys exploring coffee shops, watching Game of Thrones, and going on hikes.

If you could eat just one veg meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? The Buddha Bowl from Native Foods Café and a coffee milkshake from Saturn Cafe.

What veg dish would you cook to dazzle a veg-curious but still carnivorous friend? Something from Whole Foods and pass it off as a home-cooked meal.

Nicholas Holland

Chief Financial Officer

With a background working for Silicon Valley internet, media, and design companies, Nick's interest in animals, food sustainability, and health brought him to Fresh Healthy Media. A UC Berkeley graduate with an MBA from the University of San Diego, Nick has traveled around the world—including a two-year stint in Japan.

If you could eat just one veg meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? The baked falafel shawarma made deluxe from Herbivore Restaurant.

What veg dish would you cook to dazzle a veg-curious but still carnivorous friend? My baked tofu and raw kale salad has pleasantly surprised many of my non-veg friends and family.

Jasmin Singer

Senior Editor

Jasmins background in media, writing, and social justice has finally culminated in her dream role as the Senior Editor for VegNews. Author of the memoir, Always Too Much and Never Enough, Jasmin was named a 2016 40 Under 40 by The Advocate, and is the co-founder of the weekly, Webby-recognized Our Hen House podcast. She has presented book talks, workshops, and keynotes at venues around the globe, including with her 45-city book tour. Though she officially came on board with VegNews in 2016, Jasmin first approached Publisher Colleen Holland for a job more than ten years prior, proving that she is the most relentless person ever.

If you could eat just one veg meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? A macro plate with tahini-dill dressing.

What veg dish would you cook to dazzle a veg-curious but still carnivorous friend? If I wanted to dazzle them, I wouldnt cook. Im very good at ordering in!

Jennifer Chen

Food Editor

Jennifer's love for animals, food, and magazines makes her work at VegNews a perfect fit. A Los Angeles-based journalist, Jennifer's work has been published in Pacific Standard, BuzzFeed, Real Simple, O: The Oprah Magazine, Cosmopolitan, and several other publications. In addition to journalism, Jennifer writes young adult novels and blogs regularly at jchenwriter.com. Currently, she serves on the artistic committee at The Blank Theater in Los Angeles.

If you could eat just one veg meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? Gracias Madre's pumpkin cake with maple cream frosting and coconut ice cream.

What veg dish would you cook to dazzle a veg-curious but still carnivorous friend? A baked vegan brie puff pastry recipe from the Spork Foods sisters' non-dairy cooking class.

Anna Starostinetskaya

News Editor

Co-founding a travel media brand in 2009 to pursue a career in writing, Anna joined the VegNews team in 2015 eager to produce quality content in line with her passion for the vegan lifestyle. She now scouts the vegan world for newsworthy stories and loves discovering new cruelty-free products. A graduate of UCSD, Anna is fascinated by food, travel, and world culture. She has lived in Ukraine, Los Angeles, Spain, Brooklyn, and San Francisco and loves to scout new vegan places everywhere she goes.

If you could eat just one veg meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? Spring rolls stuffed with fresh vegetables, shiitake mushrooms, cilantro, and mint with a spicy peanut sauce.

What veg dish would you cook to dazzle a veg-curious but still carnivorous friend? Smoked carrot-wrapped tofu over a roasted garlic cauliflower purée.

Laurie Bradley

Western Sales Manager

Residing in the ultra-hip vegan capital of the US, Portland, OR, Laurie is a 20-year vegetarian and 10-year vegan. Before joining the VegNews team in 2005, Laurie was the Northwest Director of In Defense of Animals and a loan officer in the escrow industry. She considers VegNews a great way to softly educate the masses on a more gentle, healthy lifestyle. Laurie's passions include hiking with her dogs and traveling the globe trying every great (veggie) restaurant she stumbles upon.

If you could eat just one veg meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? Tacos filled with rice, black beans, avocado, salsa, lettuce, and onions.

What veg dish would you cook to dazzle a veg-curious but still carnivorous friend? Tacos! I might also include tortilla chips, guacamole, and margeritas.

Lyndsay Orwig

Recipe Tester

During her time as VegNews Office Manager, Lyndsay recipe tested for several issues of the magazine, including the amazing Vegan Cheese Issue. In addition to testing for VN, she has been an exclusive recipe tester for Robin Robertson, and was one of the top testers for Isa Does It. When not in the kitchen, Lyndsay works as a billing specialist, and s
pends her down time with her partner, Jay, and cat, Noonie.

If you could eat just one veg meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? A banh mi sandwich, filled with tofu, vegan mayo, cilantro, and veggies.

What veg dish would you cook to dazzle a veg-curious but still carnivorous friend? A Mexican-inspired casserole.

Sutton Long

Art Director

Sutton has been VegNews' Art Director since 2006. Creating beautiful magazine pages with a great team is her dream job. In addition to doing what she loves, Sutton has also been honored to win numerous awards for her designs. When not collaborating on new layouts or hunting for the perfect font, Sutton loves taking urban hikes with her rescued hound dog, Chloe, and going to the movies. Her new favorite food is the almond butter, cocoa, and cherry smoothie she has for breakfast every day.

If you could eat just one veg meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? Quinoa pasta with Field Roast Italian sausage cooked in a simple red sauce. It's the best comfort food!

What veg dish would you cook to dazzle a veg-curious but still carnivorous friend? Why cook when you can go out? We would get on a plane to LA and head to straight to Locali to eat vegan reubens as fast as they could make them.

Aurelia d'Andrea

Travel + Beauty Editor

Growing up without a television, Aurelia d'Andrea relied on library books and stacks of old National Geographic magazines for entertainment. The latter fueled her imagination and inspired an insatiable lust for travel. Since going vegan in 2000, she has eaten her way through India, Morocco, Israel, and dozens of other countries, relishing the food and the nonstop adventure. In 2010, she traded life in San Francisco for a Right Bank apartment in Paris, where she lives with her husband and their beloved mutt, Fanny.

If you could eat just one veg meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? A crunchy corn tortilla topped with rice, beans, lettuce, fresh guacamole, and homemade chipotle salsa.

What veg dish would you cook to dazzle a veg-curious but still carnivorous friend? A cool rice-noodle salad with vegetables.

Sarah McLaughlin

Editorial Assistant

A recent graduate of UC Santa Cruz, Sarah earned her Bachelor degree in modern literature. While at UCSC, Sarah was an active member of the campus vegan animal-rights club and a copy editor for the campus newspaper. Her passion for animal rights, veganism, and sustainable living led her to the editorial assistant position at Fresh Healthy Media. In her free time, Sarah enjoys hiking, baking vegan treats, reading, and playing with her cat, Eloise.

If you could eat just one veg meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? Thai green curry with tofu, fresh vegetables, and a spicy coconut curry sauce.

What veg dish would you cook to dazzle a veg-curious but still carnivorous friend? Eggplant lasagna with tofu ricotta and a cashew cheese sauce!

Carol Treacy

Eastern Sales Manager

A 21-year vegetarian and 5-year vegan, Carol has a long history of working in print media and founded The Write Cause, a letter-writing service for animal and environmental rights. When she's not playing with her cats, Pierre and Rita, she's practicing Kundalini yoga and working on her 3rd novel, Mozart's Masterpiece.

If you could eat just one veg meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? Steamed veggies covered in extra virgin olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

What veg dish would you cook to dazzle a veg-curious but still carnivorous friend? The vegan creme brulée I got from the VegNews Recipe Club. It's absolutely amazing!